Statistics released yesterday (link via Google Translate) by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) say that as of the end of November 2012, there were 1.104 billion mobile phone users in that country, an increase of nearly 118 million people during the first eleven months of 2012. This would mean that about 82% of China’s population currently uses a mobile phone (though many of these mobile phones could have dual sim cards, which was not taken into account in the MIIT’s report). [Source]

Samsung wants US to ban sales of some Ericsson products

Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it had filed a complaint against Ericsson with the U.S. International Trade Commission, requesting a U.S. import ban and sales ban on some of the Swedish telecoms equipment maker’s products.

The action taken on Friday by the world’s top smartphone maker, which accused Ericsson of breaching seven of its patents, came after Ericsson requested an ITC U.S. import ban on Samsung products and sued the South Korean firm for patent infringement. [Source]

Google Apps Challenging Microsoft in Business

It has taken years, but Google seems to be cutting into Microsoft’s stronghold — businesses. Google’s software for businesses, Google Apps, consists of applications for document writing, collaboration, and text and video communications — all cloud-based, so that none of the software is on an office worker’s computer. Google has been promoting the idea for more than six years, and it seemed that it was going to appeal mostly to small businesses and tech start-ups. But the notion is catching on with larger enterprises. In the last year Google has scored an impressive string of wins, including at the Swiss drug maker Hoffmann-La Roche, where over 80,000 employees use the package, and at the Interior Department, where 90,000 use it. [Source] Suggested read: Google apps alternatives. Workaround: How you can still use Google Apps for free for new domains.

London VC Spared Jail After ‘Groin Thrusting’ Sexual Assault On Tube During Olympics

Stefan Glaenzer, a partner in London VC firm Passion Capital has been spared jail after pleading guilty to, and being convicted of, sexual assault on the London underground during the Olympics period. As we reported in November, the former chairman of Last.fm admitted sexually assaulting an American tourist on a packed Central Line train by thrusting his groin into her back, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard. His defence was that he was under the influence of cannabis. [Source]

Class action lawsuit against Instagram

Instagram just got a lump of coal in its stocking: a class action lawsuit, which was filed in response to its change of service terms last week. Reuters reports that a California Instagram user has leveled breach of contract and other claims against Instagram owner Facebook. In response, Facebook told Reuters “we believe this complaint is without merit and we will fight it vigorously.”

Changes in Instagram’s policy privacy set off a controversy as users worried that their photos would be sold or used in ads without their permission or compensation. [Source]